AUTOMATIC WATER-SUPPLY APPARATUS

• US 3,724,001 A
• Filed: 02/16/1970
• Issued: 04/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hideyuki Suzaki, Masuo Ichimori
• Original Assignee: Hideyuki Suzaki, Masuo Ichimori
• Inventors: Ichimori, Masuo, Suzaki, Hideyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Artis, Henry K.
• Application Number:
  US05/011,540
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 4/166,100,101,DIG.3 137/1,607
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors

Abstract

A proximity detecting electrode for an electrically controllable faucet valve device is located under the front bottom of the basin in order to detect the proximity of a man approaching the basin. On account of the above location of the electrode, the sensitivity of detection is improved, evading a disturbance by water drops sticking in or around the basin. And moreover, as a result of the above improvement of the sensitivity, tolerance for the position of the electrode can be widened, making the assembly of the automatic water-supply apparatus easier even for a person not so versed in electronics.

Claims

1. An automatic water-supply apparatus comprising:

a hand washing basin made of electric insulating material and having at least one drain hole and at least one faucet, an electrically controllable valve for controlling the supply of water through said faucet, an electric circuit for controlling said valve, and a proximity detecting electrode which is located under the front bottom of the basin and is connected to an input terminal of said electric circuit, said electrode being an elongated bar extending substantially across the full width of the basin beneath the front bottom surface thereof and spaced therefrom at a position for responding to the thighs of a user.

2. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein said proximity detecting electrode is supported by a holding means connected to said drain tube in a manner that the position of the electrode can be adjusted.

3. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein said holding means comprises means for adjusting the position of the electrode.

4. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrode is insulated from said holding means.

5. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electrode is covered by an insulating sheath.

6. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electric circuit is located under the front bottom of the basin.

7. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 6, wherein said electrode is fixed to a box containing said electric circuit.

8. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 2, wherein said electric circuit is supported by said holding means.

9. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein said proximity detecting electrode is supported in a container made of insulating material and fixed on the front bottom face of the basin.

10. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electric circuit and said electrically controllable valve are contained in a common box.

11. An automatic water-supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrode is connected to said electric circuit by an inner conductor of a coaxial cable, an outer conductor of which is grounded by the end on the side of said electric circuit.

12. A device for controlling the supply of water through a faucet mounted on the rear top portion of a basin comprising means for detecting at the front bottom portion of the basin the presence or absence of a human body, and means for regulating for the flow of water from the faucet in accordance with the detected presence or absence of a human body at the front of the basin irrespective of the proximity of the human body to the faucet, said regulating means including a proximity detecting electrode in the form of an elongated bar extending substantially across the full width of the basin beneath the front bottom surface thereof and spaced therefrom at a position for responding to the human body.

13. The device defined in claim 12, wherein said regulating means includes means further for regulating the water flow through said faucet at a prescribed rate upon detection of a human body at the front of said basin and means for preventing water to flow upon detection of the absence of a human body at the front of said basin irrespective of the proximity of a human body to said faucet.